Reading “So Late in the Day” was like sitting in a seismic fault zone. Upon finishing the story I found that the earth had slipped sideways and would never be the same. How incredibly fortunate to have taken a class with Claire Keegan.
Yes: I get the impact that reading this, or indeed any other Claire Keegan stories, had for you Jennifer. I can't now quite recall whether it was "So Late in the Day" or another which first crossed my reading path12-15 months ago but it prompted to seek out and scour the whole of her published pieces, including the one novella or short novel, so far. Sublime.
Now: two questions. First did you attend her three day class as given in Tullow, County Carlow? Second, and recognising that there may be many dimensions to what leads to state so confidently that you will never be same, do you care to share anything further about what lies beneath the assertion "I will never be the same again"?
I attended her class in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, in October. I think the best I can explain it is she’s a teacher like George who can be make you see something that feels completely new.
She doesn't instruct as much as launch you on a path of personal exploration and discovery?
And, as to enquiring about Tullow, I was fascinated to read reference to the town because my mother was from Tullow and in childhood we spent the majority of days on holidays in what was then known as The Coventry Car Factories Holiday Fortnight staying in my mother's twin sister in what was her home but had been the family home (the "nine that lived" that is in my mother's generation).
I've not been in contact with Claire Keegan other than reading her fictions and some background sources about her. Even so, like you, I have been undoubtedly impacted by her. Not least because so many of the characters she writes into her stories are, literally, so real to me and the plots that unfold consequent upon their behaviours so true to life.
She does instruct AND launches you on a path of discovery. I loved the movie The Quiet Girl based on Foster and can’t wait for the Cillian Murphy film based on Small Things Like These
Loved, loved The Quiet Girl / An Cailín Ciúin and saw it in the cinema in Dungarvan, near where much of it was filmed. And then I had lunch with friends in New Ross just before Christmas and learned that we were in the café that was used in the filming of Small Things Like These with Cillian Murphy. It’s The Cracked Teapot, for info. ☺️
On the subject of Ireland and teachers. I met the wonderful Canadian writer and teacher Alexander MacLeod in Cork, and Jennifer, like you, I will never be the same. His classes were some of the most transformative teaching I have ever experienced. Hail to great writers who are great teachers too!
I just want to acknowledge that this thread led me to check out Claire Keegan. I started with Foster yesterday and I was fairly blown away. It's a gem. I don't recall reacting so strongly to each sentence in a story since I read Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping a few years back.
This morning I read So Late in the Day, and afterwards came across Claire reading it on The New Yorker podcast (with George's insightful commentary). A great experience. So I'm now about to read Small Things Like These.
I am grateful for this community helping me to start the new year with such perfect stories.
That’s amazing! I had a place on her one day workshop in Dublin on Dec 13th and then, for family reasons, couldn’t go! Sooo disappointing. But I have the gem that was the recommended reading and there is one story from it that I will choose as a response to GS’s invitation.
I am jealous. Just downloaded her latest collection and can't wait to read the other two stories except I go back and reread "So Late in the Day" again and again.
So glad to see your post, Jennifer -- and yes - what a wonderful story, So Late in the Day. I read it and listened to it - and listened to George's new yorker podcast on it. And will read it again. Clare Keegan's writing has no bottom. I'm so glad you had that privilege of taking her writing class. Good for you - taking that step and making it happen! My most powerful reading was Small Things Like These - which I re-read in 2023. I'll post about that.
I can’t say any more about her class because she made clear she doesn’t want to be on the internet. I’m someone who works very hard on my prose but people respond to my screenplays instead. Her class deeply affected the way I think about writing.
After reading Claire Keegan’s “So Late in the day” in the New Yorker, I flew to Ireland to take her three day writing class. I will never be the same.
Absolutely *loved* “Small things like these” lucky you!!!!
I’m reading that right now!
Thanks to y’all who’ve been talking up Claire Keegan, I finally read Small Things Like These. Utterly fabulous.
Me too!
Thanks for the tip; I added this to my Good Reads wanna read list.
Reading “So Late in the Day” was like sitting in a seismic fault zone. Upon finishing the story I found that the earth had slipped sideways and would never be the same. How incredibly fortunate to have taken a class with Claire Keegan.
What an amazing opportunity!
I love her books! How amazing to take a class with her. What was her best piece of advice?
Yes-- please share!
Yes: I get the impact that reading this, or indeed any other Claire Keegan stories, had for you Jennifer. I can't now quite recall whether it was "So Late in the Day" or another which first crossed my reading path12-15 months ago but it prompted to seek out and scour the whole of her published pieces, including the one novella or short novel, so far. Sublime.
Now: two questions. First did you attend her three day class as given in Tullow, County Carlow? Second, and recognising that there may be many dimensions to what leads to state so confidently that you will never be same, do you care to share anything further about what lies beneath the assertion "I will never be the same again"?
I attended her class in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, in October. I think the best I can explain it is she’s a teacher like George who can be make you see something that feels completely new.
She doesn't instruct as much as launch you on a path of personal exploration and discovery?
And, as to enquiring about Tullow, I was fascinated to read reference to the town because my mother was from Tullow and in childhood we spent the majority of days on holidays in what was then known as The Coventry Car Factories Holiday Fortnight staying in my mother's twin sister in what was her home but had been the family home (the "nine that lived" that is in my mother's generation).
I've not been in contact with Claire Keegan other than reading her fictions and some background sources about her. Even so, like you, I have been undoubtedly impacted by her. Not least because so many of the characters she writes into her stories are, literally, so real to me and the plots that unfold consequent upon their behaviours so true to life.
She does instruct AND launches you on a path of discovery. I loved the movie The Quiet Girl based on Foster and can’t wait for the Cillian Murphy film based on Small Things Like These
Loved, loved The Quiet Girl / An Cailín Ciúin and saw it in the cinema in Dungarvan, near where much of it was filmed. And then I had lunch with friends in New Ross just before Christmas and learned that we were in the café that was used in the filming of Small Things Like These with Cillian Murphy. It’s The Cracked Teapot, for info. ☺️
Sounds SO incredible! Hope I can try something similar in the future.
You won’t regret it.
I just looked - don't see any for 2024 yet, but it would be great if some of us GS Story Clubbers(?) went to the same workshop.
On the subject of Ireland and teachers. I met the wonderful Canadian writer and teacher Alexander MacLeod in Cork, and Jennifer, like you, I will never be the same. His classes were some of the most transformative teaching I have ever experienced. Hail to great writers who are great teachers too!
I just want to acknowledge that this thread led me to check out Claire Keegan. I started with Foster yesterday and I was fairly blown away. It's a gem. I don't recall reacting so strongly to each sentence in a story since I read Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping a few years back.
This morning I read So Late in the Day, and afterwards came across Claire reading it on The New Yorker podcast (with George's insightful commentary). A great experience. So I'm now about to read Small Things Like These.
I am grateful for this community helping me to start the new year with such perfect stories.
That’s amazing! I had a place on her one day workshop in Dublin on Dec 13th and then, for family reasons, couldn’t go! Sooo disappointing. But I have the gem that was the recommended reading and there is one story from it that I will choose as a response to GS’s invitation.
I am jealous. Just downloaded her latest collection and can't wait to read the other two stories except I go back and reread "So Late in the Day" again and again.
I reread it many times myself
Yes she was my favourite writer. Might have to take that trip to Ireland
What an incredible experience! How was the course?
Life changing
She's amazing. And what expeience must be taking a course by her! Have you read "Small Things Like This"?
Yes of course. Amazing.
So glad to see your post, Jennifer -- and yes - what a wonderful story, So Late in the Day. I read it and listened to it - and listened to George's new yorker podcast on it. And will read it again. Clare Keegan's writing has no bottom. I'm so glad you had that privilege of taking her writing class. Good for you - taking that step and making it happen! My most powerful reading was Small Things Like These - which I re-read in 2023. I'll post about that.
I’ve been reading her stories throughout the year, and have been so impressed. Can you say more about her class?
I can’t say any more about her class because she made clear she doesn’t want to be on the internet. I’m someone who works very hard on my prose but people respond to my screenplays instead. Her class deeply affected the way I think about writing.
I'm just finished it myself, Jennifer, and am so excited to have found another great writer to luxuriate in! Thank you!